5 Samsung Rumors: From the Galaxy C7 and C5 to S7 Variants

Samsung has already introduced one of the most exciting smartphones for Android fans to consider this year, and along with the HTC 10 and the LG G5, the Galaxy S7 is one of the best smartphones of the year. But Samsung is hard at work developing plenty of other devices, and a number of exciting rumors about the company’s plans and future products have surfaced in the past week. Read on to catch up on the most interesting Samsung rumors to make the rounds this week.

1. Samsung may introduce a Galaxy S7 Zoom variant

Samsung Rumors reports that Samsung may introduce a Galaxy S7 Zoom. The publication reports that Samsung is working on a “1/1.7-inch CMOS camera module” with a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4. In addition to the Edge variant, the much-rumored S7 Mini and S7 Active, and the Olympic-edition S7 that’s reportedly on its way, the S7 lineup could get another variant with an enhanced camera and advanced photography capabilities.

According to a report from Photo Rumors, Samsung’s development of a new camera module for smartphones might explain why the company hasn’t unveiled anything new from its NX point-and-shoot camera department. Photo Rumors reports that Samsung has been moving people from its NX camera department to its mobile department, and is looking to create a compact 1/2.3″ sensor (the Galaxy S7 features a 1/2.5″ sensor by Sony). The goal is reportedly to create a smartphone camera with a 1/1.7″ sensor and a lens module with a maximum f/1.4 aperture for cameras between 18 and 24MP.

Samsung has reportedly been developing the camera module for its point-and-shoot lineup, but in the past, it’s used the modules from that lineup in selected smartphones, like the Galaxy K Zoom featured in the video above. A few months ago, SamMobile noted that it’s been a while since Samsung released the Galaxy K Zoom, but a number of freshly published patents hinted at the company’s plans to introduce a new “camera phone.” Though the publication noted that it wasn’t really expecting a Galaxy S7 Zoom, one of the patents detailed a modular design that could even accommodate a zoom lens on the back of the phone.

2. The Galaxy Note 6 and Galaxy S8 may get the new camera sensor

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Tech Radar reports that the new camera sensor that Samsung is rumored to be developing could debut not with a Galaxy S7 variant, but with the Galaxy Note 6 or Galaxy S8. According to the publication’s logic, the fact that the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were received so well was due in no small part to the extremely impressive cameras featured in the phones.

The new camera module, which would feature an f/1.4 lens instead of the f/1.7 lens in this year’s S7, would be an appropriate upgrade for next year’s flagship model. The same could be said of the megapixel count that the new camera system could feature, since the new sensor could up the megapixel count from the 12MP found on the Galaxy S7 to 18MP or even 24MP on a new phone — which might be a more appropriate upgrade to make in the Galaxy Note 6 or the Galaxy S8.

3. The Galaxy C7 may be a less powerful version of the Galaxy S7

Samsung Galaxy S7 | David Ramos/Getty Images

Digital Trends reports that rumors are beginning to surface about Samsung’s upcoming mid-range devices, which would replace the S with a C in the model names. If the rumors that have surfaced so far prove true, the Galaxy C7 will be a surprisingly powerful mid-range device, with a leaked benchmark test indicating that the phone will feature a 2.0GHz octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor, which was made official by Qualcomm in February and uses the same 14nm build process as the Snapdragon 820.

The chip is more energy-efficient than previous models, and is expected to be accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The screen is reported to measure 5.5 inches, with a 1920×1080 pixel resolution. The benchmark results also showed a 16MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. Rumors about a Galaxy C5 indicate that it could have a 5.2-inch screen (with a display resolution that’s unknown so far). A benchmark test indicated that the phone could feature a Snapdragon 617 chip and 4GB of RAM. Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy C series exclusively for the Chinese market, though it’s possible that the phones could make their way to other countries, too.

4. Samsung’s latest C-series phones will feature a metal build

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SamMobile reports that the latest information about the C-series smartphones that Samsung is developing for the Chinese market indicates that the Galaxy C5 and Galaxy C7 will feature thin metal bodies. The phones could replace Samsung’s A-series smartphones, which means that they could mix metal and glass.

SamMobile reports that Samsung’s new C-series phones will feature thin, metallic bodies, which, along with the impressive specifications expected from the phones, could offer a premium feel despite the lower price tag. Premium designs seem to be a major focus for the company this year, as even the new Galaxy J devices feature some metal in their construction.

5. iPhones may soon support the Samsung Gear S2

Samsung Gear S2 | David McNew/AFP/Getty Images

It’s been reported that the Samsung Gear S2 will gain iOS support later this year, and according to 9to5Google, it’s now looking a Gear S2 app for iPhone is coming sooner rather than later. The link to a purported early version of a Samsung Gear S2 app, which would enable iOS users to pair the smartwatch with their devices, has surfaced online. While the app seems to be in the early stages of development, discussions about it seem to indicate that users who want to pair their devices may need to restore their S2 to factory settings before pairing it with the iOS app. That might require having another Android device on hand.